Copper Theft

The American Supply Association (ASA), the national organization serving wholesale distributors and their suppliers in the plumbing, heating, cooling and industrial and mechanical pipe, valves and fittings (PHCP and PVF) industries, applauds Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) for their efforts in bringing about S. 394, the Metal Theft Prevention Act of 2013. Deterring metal theft, specifically copper, has been a key priority for ASA and the industry. ASA appreciates the senators’ leadership in this critical, yet under-addressed area of crime prevention.

Copper theft is a pervasive, opportunistic crime which poses a risk to public safety, communication, transportation and construction sites, and is a target to the PHCP/PVF industry. With the price of copper pipe and tubing up more than 70% since 2005, theft has become a growing epidemic. Recently, the Department of Energy conservatively estimated the total value of damages from copper wire theft across impacted industries in the U.S. would be $900 million annually. This alone signifies the critical need to address this issue.